This new score for the 1913 silent film Suspense is written for oboe, tenor saxophone, double bass, and electronics. The music develops distinct instrumental identities for the film’s three central characters: the oboe carries a recurring motif associated with the tramp, while the tenor saxophone is associated with the husband and the double bass with the wife. These contrasting instrumental identities contribute to the film’s shifting perspectives and mounting dramatic tension. Electronics extend the acoustic sound world, allowing the score to respond not only to the film’s action but also to its psychological intensity and distinctive visual language.

This work was composed as part of NIMAcademy 2026.